There is something rather wonderful about picking up a book, without any hype, and finding that its just as good as the New York Bestseller everyone is raving about. Its a rare occurrence, which is why its a cherished experience, as a reader.

1. Temeraire (Temeraire #1)

Naomi Novik

Most people will know Naomi Novik for her book Uprooted, but I knew her for her Napoleaonic War books with Dragons. I loved her depiction of trainer and dragon, just thinking about a warm bubble of warmth.

2. Starborn (Worldmaker Trilogy #1)

Lucy Hounsom

This book was incredibly clever in how it flipped traditional fantasy tropes on its head.

3. The Ninth Rain

Jen Williams

I think more people need to pick up Jen's books. I absolutely love her characters, plot and most of all? Her FANTASTIC dialogue.

4. Pantomime

Laura Lam

I go on about this book enough. Look for my review in the A-Z Book Reviews tab, if you want to know more as to why this book is great.

5. The Archived

Victoria Schwab

I love this book series. Well of the two books of the trilogy we have anyway. I support Victoria in any decision she makes in reference to finishing the series. I can understand why she feels the way she does (the publisher pulled out). The reason why we haven't go book 3 is because not enough people picked it up and read it.

This is one of the audiobooks that I got when I paused my Audible account, just before the new year. I'm in a great "adult" fantasy kick for most of 2017, and I'm hoping that this continues way into the new year.Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1)Mark Lawerence

GoodreadsHow many freaking TBR posts do I need to put this on, before I actually get to it?The answer: I've lost count.The Fifth Season N.K. JemisinGoodreadsI did that thing I said I wasn't going to do anymore.The thing where I buy an entire series and trilogy, before actually reading the first book at least. But, then book two and three were like £2.00 each on Amazon and I got clicking-happy. Obviously, now, I've got to read them.

Elizabeth's tweets are probably up there on favourite twitter content. She's funny, her cats are adorable and she kicks sexism right where it needs to be kicked in. I've heard mixed things about this series, but I'm intrigued and would love to see if this is something I'm going to love.

This weeks topic is a difficult one, Books We Dislike but Love to Discuss, because nothing instantly sprang to mind.

1. Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)

Susanne Collins

I didn't really like the ending of The Hunger Games trilogy, and the first time I read it I skipped over the last three chapters and read the epilogue, just to be done with it.

I do like looking at the way Collins presented PTSD and love listening to open discussions on it.

2. Empire of Storms

Sarah J. Maas

I still love discussing Maas' books. Whether to disects them and look at how they didn't work, or to just cringe with other like minded individuals over the ridiculous sex scenes.

3. Heart of Darkness

Joseph Conrad

I had to read this during a Literature module at University and couldn't even make it past the second page. It was

presented as this great piece of revolutionary text that didn't have racist undertones. OH BOY.

4. Wuthering Heights

Emily Bronte

An A-Level text. By "enjoy a discussion" about this text its more, me taking the piss with the Kate Bush song.

5. Twilight

Stephanie Meyer

Its not a discussion as much as a story I like to tell with this one. During the height of the Twilight days I did attemot to read a copy. Only I feel asleep in the school library and had the librarian wake me up before I could miss tutorial.

The FandomAnna DayAdd to GoodreadsRelease Date: 4th January, 2018UK Publisher: Chicken HouseSynopsis:Cosplay ready, Violet and her friends are at Comic-Con.

They can’t wait to meet the fandom of mega movie, The Gallows Dance. What they’re not expecting is to be catapulted by freak accident into their favourite world – for real. Fuelled by love, guilt and fear, can the friends put the plot back on track and get out? The fate of the story is in their hands ...I am honoured to have Anna on my blog today, talking about one of my favourite events in my annual calendar, YALC!

Over to ANNA DAY, author of THE FANDOM:

I went to YALC/Comic-Con
for the first time last July to promote my debut novel The Fandom. What better place, as part of the book is set at Comic-Con
in the very same building, Olympian National Hall. I’d done loads of research
online, read blogs and watched YouTube videos, and got a taste of the vivid
world of cosplay. So I was very excited, and a bit nervous, to finally go there
in person. Excited to be part of something I’d only imagined, and nervous I’d
imagined it all wrong.

Well I was
not disappointed. And I like to think, for a moment, I felt just like the
protagonist, Violet. Completely awestruck and overwhelmed by it all. Olympia
was every bit as vast and stunning as I’d hoped, and the cosplayers were even
more convincing and colourful than I’d envisioned.

The above
photo shows the first group of cosplayers I approached. I’m a Lord of the Rings fan, and was instantly
struck by how realistic their costumes were. I was a little anxious, introducing
myself in a slightly hesitant voice, asking if I could chat to them about their
costumes and have a couple of photos. Honestly, I felt like the little nerd
trying to get in with the cool gang! But my concerns were completely unfounded.
They were such a lovely bunch of people, so welcoming and happy to talk. They
told me about their costumes, which were all hand made by the lady dressed as a
hobbit. She was such a talented seamstress, the detail in the costumes was
astounding. They totally gave me the confidence to approach other cosplayers,
who were all equally as nice. Below you can see me posing with some more
amazing cosplayers (next year I am totally going in costume … it’s in print, no
take backsies!)

I think this
is what stayed with me the most from visiting Comic-Con; the sense of comradery
amongst cosplayers, bound together by their passion for creativity, stories and
all things geektastic. My research had served me well in terms of writing about
the venue and the costumes, but I think it was only then, that moment at
Comic-Con, I realised what an honour it was to have written a book dedicated to
all things fandom.

Anna Day is the debut author of THE FANDOM, out now, priced £7.99. Get your copy here and follow the conversation online using the tag #jointhefandom!

Series Crackdown is a 10-day long readathon, that I've had my eye on since the first time I was made aware of its existance, and this round I plan to participate. Run by The Book Moo and a few friends.

The objective is to read a whole series, be it a duology, trilogy or something longer. But you can just as easily start a series or read one or two of those sequels that we say we want to read and then never do.

I'll post a TBR over on twitter when I've got one, but for now, this is just a post to make you aware and to tempt you into joining.Follow the official Twitter account: @SeriesCrackdown

Well I ended up completing my Goodreads Reading Goal.Sixty books!Over 20,000 pages!An average rating of 3.7, oh.Pretty mediocre, if you ask me. I feel like this year I was really stingy with my ratings, savouring my five stars for the mind blowing.When putting this list together, there was only a few that instantly sprang to mind when compiling my list. And then I went back through, and did the traditional "I read that THIS YEAR?!" and then adding it to the list.Without further ado (and in no particular order):

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)Laini Taylor⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

[REVIEW]This was everything that I expected to come out of that wonderous brain of Laini Taylor. I'm sure you've heard me rave about this enough.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

Susanna Clake

[GOODREADS]I am completely cheating by putting this book on here, but I have read at least half on this. That's why I don't have a rating for it yet.

Pantomime (Micah Gray #1)Laura Lam⭐⭐⭐⭐[REVIEW]This is on of the few that have made it on the list, not because I gave them anything but five stars, rather because they were memorable.Even know I can think back on this books and it shines above all the other books.

I haven't had time to write a book review for this one yet, but I am very sure that this will be making it on many list this.I found some of the writing to be a little tedious in description which is why I only gave it five stars, but in terms of plot and character and importance - this one deserves to on the list.

A Skinful of ShadowsFrances Hardinge⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐[REVIEW]I'm putting this one on the list for it's beautiful prose, the characters and found family that runs it course through this book.

Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicles #2)

Jay Kristoff

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

[REVIEW]

This was probably my most anticipated sequel of 2017, along with Lord of Shadows and The Song Rising.

And it lived up to my expectations. AND THAT FREAKING ENDING?!

Still not over it.

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)V.E.Schwab⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐[GOODREADS]I know some people have had some issues with the pacing of this book, yet I'm one to disagree. I need that slower paced opening to see the development of characters, such as Rhy, who we didn't get to see very much of in the first book, A Darker Shade of Magic.

This was another one of those most anticipated sequels that I had talked about. Still making it onto this list, because although it may not have packed a punch like its previous, it still resonated deeply and has stuck with me throughout the rest of the year.

I loved the character growth that this novel was able to give up in its short 350 (ish) pages.

There was a large of number of books that I wanted to get to last year and never got to, but here is my ultimate this year or never selection:

1. Six of CrowsLeigh BardugoI refuse to start this book until I've finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy. That's going to happen this year- I swear it!2. Gilded CageVic JamesI KNOW?! I've put this on my TBR countless times but newer shinier books have always grabbed my attention.I just KNOW I'm going to love this one.3. The Fifth SeasonN.K.JemisinI don't remember when this copy turned up in the post, but I've heard nothing but good things about this SFF mix.4. The Lies of Locke LamoraScott LynchI found this first edition hardback (in the cover edition I adore) in a Charity shop when I came back to Bangor.

5. Three Dark CrownsKendare BlakeThis book has been on my unread pile since I grabbed a cheap copy out of Morrisons. I'm still really eager to read it. Maybe, this year, will be my year.

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About Me

ACityofBooks was established in 2016 in order for me to connect and share my passion for reading. I hope my love for all things fantasy shines through every floral note, but I do like to delve into various other genres. Mixing reading to portray both my adult and young adult qualities.